SEO in 2026
Majestic.com
SEO is continuing to change at an alarming pace. And yet, in some sense, the principles of good SEO remain the same.
Hello, and welcome to SEO in 2026 – a significant repository of current thinking from many of the world’s leading SEOs.
We're pleased to be able to welcome you to the fifth book and fifth series in this podcast, now well and truly an annual tradition, brought to you by Majestic.
“How people search has seen a bigger shift in the last 12 months than the last 12 years, and this makes SEOin2026 a must-read for anyone working in the industry. Majestic has brought together 117 of the SEO industry's brightest minds to share their insights into what matters, and what doesn't, to continue to drive growth with organic search during a period of massive uncertainty, and the book should be seen as a valuable reference point to keep your strategy on the right track.”
JAMES BROCKBANK
Managing Director and Founder, Digitaloft
“I highly recommend that every SEO professional set aside a couple of days for SEOin2026. You'll thank me for helping you plan your year effectively. I'm extremely grateful to have the opportunity to work alongside some of the world's leading SEO champions.”
NITIN MANCHANDA
Founder & Chief SEO Consultant, Botpresso
“This collection of wisdom from many of the best minds in SEO today is a great line in the sand of where we as an industry are, what problems we face, and how we tackle them. Anyone in SEO or marketing should be dipping into this on a regular basis.”
SIMON COX
Technical SEO Consultant, Cox and Co. Creative
“This series continues to be the industry’s leading source of the most timely advice a marketer could ever want. The most forward-thinking SEO experts in the world come together once a year to create this invaluable collection of new knowledge that should never be passed up on!”
PAM AUNGST CRONIN
President and Founder, Pam Ann Marketing and Stealth Search and Analytics
“2025 has been a sprint for the SEO industry, with AI reshaping how we understand visibility, relevance, and authority. SEOin2026 is not just another trends book; it’s a roadmap for what’s actually coming. I loved being part of it and seeing how experts around the world approach the same challenges from different angles.”
RAMONA JOITA
SEO Consultant and Founder
“David is good at drawing out the substance of a conversation. He will explore the topic and challenge assumptions, steer the conversation into an unexpected direction, and build on your ideas – making you think a bit deeper and sharper. Our recent conversation flew by as always, and as always – I’ve come out energised about the topic with more to think about.”
SUKHJINDER SINGH
Freelance SEO Consultant
Hello, and welcome to SEO in 2026 – a significant repository of current thinking from many of the world’s leading SEOs.
We're pleased to be able to welcome you to the fifth book and fifth series in this podcast, now well and truly an annual tradition, brought to you by Majestic.
“How people search has seen a bigger shift in the last 12 months than the last 12 years, and this makes SEOin2026 a must-read for anyone working in the industry. Majestic has brought together 117 of the SEO industry's brightest minds to share their insights into what matters, and what doesn't, to continue to drive growth with organic search during a period of massive uncertainty, and the book should be seen as a valuable reference point to keep your strategy on the right track.”
JAMES BROCKBANK
Managing Director and Founder, Digitaloft
“I highly recommend that every SEO professional set aside a couple of days for SEOin2026. You'll thank me for helping you plan your year effectively. I'm extremely grateful to have the opportunity to work alongside some of the world's leading SEO champions.”
NITIN MANCHANDA
Founder & Chief SEO Consultant, Botpresso
“This collection of wisdom from many of the best minds in SEO today is a great line in the sand of where we as an industry are, what problems we face, and how we tackle them. Anyone in SEO or marketing should be dipping into this on a regular basis.”
SIMON COX
Technical SEO Consultant, Cox and Co. Creative
“This series continues to be the industry’s leading source of the most timely advice a marketer could ever want. The most forward-thinking SEO experts in the world come together once a year to create this invaluable collection of new knowledge that should never be passed up on!”
PAM AUNGST CRONIN
President and Founder, Pam Ann Marketing and Stealth Search and Analytics
“2025 has been a sprint for the SEO industry, with AI reshaping how we understand visibility, relevance, and authority. SEOin2026 is not just another trends book; it’s a roadmap for what’s actually coming. I loved being part of it and seeing how experts around the world approach the same challenges from different angles.”
RAMONA JOITA
SEO Consultant and Founder
“David is good at drawing out the substance of a conversation. He will explore the topic and challenge assumptions, steer the conversation into an unexpected direction, and build on your ideas – making you think a bit deeper and sharper. Our recent conversation flew by as always, and as always – I’ve come out energised about the topic with more to think about.”
SUKHJINDER SINGH
Freelance SEO Consultant
Episodes
Mentioned books
Feb 27, 2025 • 16min
Accessibility is sexy again (with the changes to the European Accessibility Act) - Billie Geena Hyde
Billie Geena Hyde shares that Accessibility is sexy again (with the changes to the European Accessibility Act). Hosted by David Bain.Discussion points include:What changes have we seen to the European Accessibility Act?How does this affect SEOs?What are examples of the real data and facts around accessibility?How do we measure the value of improving accessibility?What are some big opportunities for SEOs?Can we use AI to assist with this?How does this fit into a digital strategy?
Feb 26, 2025 • 16min
Adapt to AI search trends with strong brand authority - Yordan Dimitrov
Yordan Dimitrov shares the importance of adapting to AI search trends with strong brand authority.Discussion points include:What AI search trends are you referring to?How do you adapt to AI search trends with strong brand authority?What does strong brand authority look like?How do you measure strong brand authority in the age of AI?How will AI search trends continue to evolve?How will this impact the need to continue to adapt as a brand?What are the key elements to creating a successful brand in 2025?
Feb 25, 2025 • 16min
Customer Experience is the Alpha and Omega of SEO in 2025 - with Martina Zrzavá Libřická
Martina Zrzavá Libřická shares that Customer Experience is the Alpha and Omega of SEO in 2025 - with David Bain.Discussion points include:What does Customer Experience becoming the Alpha and Omega of SEO actually mean in practice?Why is customer experience so important to SEO?What data should SEOs be looking for to find out more about their users?Which other in-house teams should you involve to make this a success?What information are you looking to find out from customers?What should you do with this information?How should this data impact their SEO strategy?How do SEOs know if this work has been a success?Can you measure the success from revenue or more traditional SEO metrics?How will customer experience continue to evolve in 2025?
Feb 24, 2025 • 16min
Embrace Search Experience Optimisation with Search Marketing & Web Accessibility - Damien Robert
Damien Robert discusses the importance of embracing Search Experience Optimisation with Search Marketing & Web Accessibility - hosted by David BainTalking points:Why is Search Marketing and Web Accessibility linked?How would you define web inclusivity - and is this different from web accessibility?How do you create an experience that’s welcome to everyone?How do you ensure that your site is universally engaging?How is paid search’s role changing?What are some key aspects of web accessibility that big brands often get wrong?How do you measure the impacts of good web accessibility?How do you measure the financial value of proving better web accessibility?
Feb 21, 2025 • 18min
How should SEO work in a world where AI has a bigger role? With Pedro Dias
Pedro Dias shares show SEO should work in a world where AI has a bigger role - with David Bain.Discussion points include:When you talk about AI having a bigger role, what do you mean exactly?How do we work in this kind of world?What does this mean for the content that we publish?How do we design and structure websites in order to retain value and protect unique valuable knowledge?Are there any downsides to this?Should we not just let our content be consumed by AI? Is that not inevitable? Will we not at least have a bit more brand exposure by doing that?
Feb 20, 2025 • 18min
In 2025, "SEO PR" is essential - with Alan Silvestri
Alan Silvestri shares why in 2025, "SEO PR" is essential - with David Bain.Discussion points include:- Introduction to "SEO PR" and its importance.- Guidelines - domain authority, traffic- Key components: link quality evaluation, content strategy, outreach principles.- Creating link-worthy content that serves both PR and SEO goals.- Proactive link acquisition techniques in PR campaigns.- Optimizing for high-value link placements and relevant anchor text.
Feb 19, 2025 • 17min
Remove the complexities of SEO and get back to basics - with Simon Cox
Simon Cox reveals why it's important to remove the complexities of SEO and get back to basics in 2025, in a discussion with David Bain.Talking points include:What do you mean by saying that no-one is going to be able to keep up with AI in 2025?Should SEOs not try to use AI?What do you mean by saying that you should remove the complexities of SEO?What are the basics that everyone should get back to?How do you ensure that you are focusing on the right basics?How do you justify not focusing on AI to business leaders who might expect SEOs to have an AI strategy?What does this mean for the future of SEO?Read the full transcript of Simon's interview at https://majestic.com/seo-in-2025/additional-insights/simon-cox
Feb 18, 2025 • 16min
Ensure that you're answering prospects' questions and pain points - with Jess Joyce
Jess Joyce shares why it's essential that you're answering prospects' questions and pain points - with David Bain.Discussion points include:How do you know who your prospects are?How do you know what their needs and pain points are?How do you know you’re answering the right questions?What data do you use?Can you use all this data together?What tools do you use?What does that look like from a content perspective?What does success look like? Why take this approach over something else?
Feb 17, 2025 • 14min
Interview a salesperson on your team to get keyword ideas - with Araminta Robertson
Araminta Robertson shares why you need to Interview a salesperson on your team to get keyword ideas for your SEO success - with David Bain.Discussion points include:Why salespeople and not other people in your organisation?Should you interview all salespeople?What topics should you focus on?What questions should you be asking them?How should you structure the interviews?What should you do with the content?How often should you do this?After this, should you interview other people in the company?
Feb 14, 2025 • 16min
SEOs and content marketers are responsible for fighting back - with Kavi Kardos
Kavi Kardos shares how SEOs and content marketers are responsible for fighting back against a flood of generic, AI-generated, and manipulative content. Hoisted by David Bain.Discussion points include:How can SEOs fight back against AI-generated content?How do we decide on the right long-tail questions we should be answering?What platforms should we be trying to appear on?Should we be happy to target zero search volume keywords?When you talk about Building community through less traditional platforms - what platforms are you referring to?What do you mean by partnering with customer teams to build websites that users actually want?Are you concerned about AI’s ability to compete in the areas that you’re recommending in the future?
